Mid-Coast winter sports teams hit homestretch

It’s hard to believe, but the 2009-10 winter sports regular season is winding down.

With only a handful of weeks remaining, here’s a glimpse at where the locals stand.

Boys’ basketball

The Brunswick boys’ basketball team finally suffered a loss last week, 52-28 to Edward Little, but bounced back with victories over Erskine Academy (61-34) and Messalonskee (55-44) to improve to 12-1 on the season. The Dragons are fourth in the latest Eastern Class A Heal Points standings behind Edward Little, Brewer and Hampden Academy. Brunswick is at Lawrence Friday, hosts Erskine Saturday and welcomes Lewiston Tuesday.

Mt. Ararat fell to 6-7 (and 10th in the region) after losses last week to Cony (67-60) and Skowhegan (47-41). In the latter game, Will Gerencer had 19 points in a losing effort.

“This was the most physical, rough and borderline out-of-control game I’ve been a part of in my 14 years of coaching basketball,” said Eagles coach Aaron Watson. “I was proud of how our kids did not back down. We need to regroup and prepare for Bangor.”

Mt. Ararat is at Bangor Friday and hosts Erskine Tuesday.

Morse is now 2-11 (and 11th in Eastern A) after falling 52-48 to Lewiston, 57-35 to Edward Little and 43-37 to Lawrence last week. The Shipbuilders host Mt. Blue Friday and Cony on Tuesday.

In Western D, Hyde is 5-3 and sixth in the Heals after wins last week over Rangeley (61-37) and Valley (42-36). The Phoenix were at Kents Hill Wednesday, host Gould Saturday and welcome Kents Hill Monday.

The Dragons fell 53-45 at Edward Little last Tuesday, but bounced back to edge Messalonskee 59-58 Saturday to improve to 9-4. Brunswick’s game at Erskine Monday was postponed by snow. The rematch is Saturday. First, the Dragons go to Lawrence on Friday.

The Eagles won 52-45 over host Cony last Tuesday, then had their four-game win streak ended at Skowhegan Friday, 52-28, as Mt. Ararat fell to 8-5 on the season. The Eagles are at Bangor Friday and go to Erskine Tuesday.

In Western D, Hyde got its first victory last week, 38-37 (in overtime) over Valley, to improve to 1-7 (good for 12th in the Heals). The Phoenix are idle until the 28th when they play at Valley.

Hockey

The Brunswick boys’ hockey team was blanked by Lewiston (5-0) and Edward Little (4-0) last week, but rallied Monday to beat Cony 5-4 to even its mark at 5-5. The Dragons (eighth in the Eastern A Heals) hosted Mt. Ararat Thursday, go to Messalonskee Saturday and welcome defending Class A champion Waterville Monday.

The Eagles are 2-8 and 12th in Eastern A after recent losses to Edward Little (6-0) and Massabesic (8-1). Monday’s home game with Sanford was postponed by snow. After going to Brunswick Thursday, Mt. Ararat visits Camden Saturday and Gray-New Gloucester Monday.

On the girls’ side, Brunswick is now 3-12-1 after losing 4-0 to Lewiston and 2-0 to Greely. The Dragons (sixth in the East Region) are idle until next Wednesday when they go to Leavitt.

Indoor track

Last weekend, in indoor track action, Brunswick was first out of nine teams in the boys’ meet, while Mt. Ararat won the girls’ competition. The Dragons were second on the girls’ side, while the Eagles were runners-up in the boys’ race.

Swimming

In the pool, Mt. Ararat lost a meet to Belfast, with the boys falling 71-29 and the girls losing, 77-25. However, freshman Celia Ouelette broke a 15-year-old school record in the 50 and 100 free. The Brunswick girls downed Gardiner 114-58 last week.

Morse swept a meet with Lewiston. The boys eked out an 85-83 decision, while the girls were 112-58 winners.

Skiing

Mt. Ararat’s girls’ Nordic ski team was second at Saturday’s Maranacook Wave race. Yarmouth came in first.